Oli and Lekhak, Held in Protest Case, Are to Be Produced in Court

Kathmandu – Former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, who were arrested on charges related to the crackdown during the Gen Z protests, are to be produced at the Kathmandu District Court on Sunday.

Because Saturday was a public holiday, authorities had been unable to present them in court earlier. Police said they plan to bring the two before the court as soon as proceedings begin.

The arrests stem from violent protests led by Gen Z demonstrators on Sept. 8 and 9, during which 76 people were killed and more than 2,400 others seriously injured.

During the unrest, demonstrators set fire to and vandalized key state institutions, including Singha Durbar, the Parliament building, the Supreme Court, the presidential residence, police offices, commercial establishments and private homes.

A commission led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki found Mr. Oli and Mr. Lekhak, along with other officials in positions of authority, responsible for the violence and recommended legal action against them.

Following the general election, the new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah decided at its first Cabinet meeting on March 27 to immediately implement the commission’s report.

Acting on that decision, police arrested Mr. Oli from his residence in Bhaktapur’s Gundu area and Mr. Lekhak from his home in Katunje early the next morning.